I love the long shadows on November; those far-reaching limbs of trees seem to stretch out across the earth, connecting summer to winter with their long arms of hope.
As I watched the sun begin its journey this morning, I thought about the November shadows starting to form. Lights went on, for the rooms will still dark. tea whistled and the news of the day crept into my day.
As I trolled the ether waters, Garrison Keillor’s Almanac popped up. I enjoy reading the selected poem of the day; sometimes familiar verse, other times poets I have not met. On occasion, Almanac inspires a post, leading me to new waters. It isn’t always the daily poem that spurs me on, however, it is sometimes the list of birthdays; poets, essayist, literary giants.
Today, November 29, there were three notable birthdays. Authors who filled my childhood as much as ongoing years. As I read the brief biographies, my heart swelled and I thought of November’s long shadows, wondering at the lives of these notables and the shadows they cast on so many lives.
November 29 is day of birth for Louisa May Alcott, Madeline L’Engle, and C.S. Lewis.
Where would I be without “Little Women”, “A Wrinkle in Time” and “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”?
Where would we be, dear readers, without November’s long shadows?
Three of my favorite authors… 🙂
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Me too, Deborah! Thanks for commenting.
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Wow: an auspicious day for being born a writer, then, Penny! Shadows: I confess they make me feel sad. I miss the warmth of the sun in June. Ho, hum.
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Auspicious day it is, Kate. Shadows can emote sadness for sure, especially as the days grow short and colder. Here’s to sunshine with the shadows.
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Although I wouldn’t want them all year round, I too like the shadows of November. It’s a cozy, indoor time early enough in the cold weather to still appreciate the comforts of home, hot tea or maybe even hot chocolate, a sweater and a good book. It’s not old yet and we’re not stir crazy yet! Great post Penny, you’re so good at reminding us to appreciated the moment. Also, I didn’t know so many wonderful authors were Sagittarians.
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November often gets a “bad wrap” doesn’t it, especially after all the grandeur of October? You describe this in between time of November perfectly, Janet.
Thank you. We all need to be reminded, especially me, to appreciate the moment. This blog helps me to do that. As to these Sagittarians, I had not thought of that, but, now I feel even better yet – especially since I am one myself. What a good day it has been.
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And today is Mark Twain’s birthday, another Sag writer, what great company Penny!
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…and Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of “Anne of Green Gables” was born today!
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It’s one big literary birthday party out there right now, isn’t it? I did see Twain’s birthday was today, but, I did not know that it was Lucy Maud Montgomery’s birthday. “Anne of Green Gables” is a forever favorite of mine and Jennifer loved her. We are going to try to work in a girls’ trip to Prince Edward Island someday.
Thanks, Janet.
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I have Little Women on my iPad for a re-read right now. Maybe I should start it tonight.
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Oh, do start Little Women, Andra. It is the perfect time of year for spending some time with the March sisters.
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Those three born on the same date is interesting. Three superb writers and childhood “friends.”
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This little bit of “news” surprised me and delighted me this morning, Teresa. I love this little discoveries.
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Amazing that those three writers were born on the same day. What contributions they made to the literary world!
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All writers I have spent considerable time with in my life, and I never realized they shared the same birthday. Isn’t life grand, Sunday?
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What an evocative post Penny, and I love the beautiful opening sentence. I too love the long shadows of late autumn. Here our shadows are shrinking as the sun climbs higher. You are entering the season of contemplation.
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Thank you, Juliet. Here we are entering a season of contemplation, and how fortunate we are to be able to watch your season unfolding, learning of new birds and plants and wonders from New Zealand.
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Beautiful, Penny. And you’re so right about the three amazing authors. I cannot imagine having missed out on the books you’ve listed. I sometimes catch Garrison Keillor’s Almanac and enjoy it when I do. I think you hit the jackpot today! Lovely way to think about the long shadows of November!
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Thank you, Debra. I think I hit the jackpot too Each author entered my life at different times and I have revisited all three, again and again, enjoying them even more as I age. It was with delight that I discovered they share the same birthday. It will be a sad day when Garrison Keillor closes shop on his Prairie Home Companion, but, we have his own body of work and I’m sure his Almanac will carry on (at least I hope it will). Ah well, those are worries for another time. Hope you aren’t getting too much rain.
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We are having quite a bit of rain, but although slightly inconvenient it’s a necessity. I’m being brave! LOL!
I know what you mean about Garrison Keillor and he is such an American treasure. There isn’t really anyone quite like him, that I can think of. And those wonderful authors! I was in the Huntington Library bookstore this week and they had some of the most beautiful young children’s editions of Little Women, Jane Eyre, and others. I got so excited to see them, thinking of Sophia and Karina. The books were probably geared for a 7 or 8 year old, so it’s not yet time, but I look forward to sharing them. I’m sure you have the same thoughts! 🙂
I hope you have a wonderful weekend. December gets busy, doesn’t it!!
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Garrson Keillor is truly an American treasure, Debra. You are so right. Won’t it be fun introducing Sophia and Karina to the likes of all these authors? Not only do I read and read them, especially Little Women, but, if LIttle Women is on television, I will watch it; any version. Tom’s funny. He’ll pass by and realize what I’m watching and say “has Beth died again?” as I sit, sobbing.
December does get busy, Debra, and December 1 started with a whirlwind of activity. I love the season and Advent, so, off I go . . .
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Oh dear. I have been so blinded by the low winter sun (does it seem brighter this year or is it just me?) that I have missed seeing the long shadows of the month. As this is the last day, I shall make a special effort to look.
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Now that you mention it, it does seem brighter this year. I’ve managed to be driving right into it a few late afternoons of late it truly did blind me for a few moments. I hope you were able to see the long shadows today, Belle, for tomorrow will be December with its own beauty. Phew. Where did this year go?
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I enjoyed looking for the shadows as I drove through our wonderful park this afternoon. You are right, they are lovely. Thanks for reminding me to be mindful of all of nature – especially the long shadows of November.
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That was so sweet of you to come back to tell me that you looked for shadows. Thank you. There is so much beauty in nature. I need to remind myself to take the time to mindful, Belle. Have a good weekend. I’ve enjoyed reading about your literary adventures with the Queen.
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Ok, I have tried to comment on this before, but it would not load. I believe my computer is off reading a good book and not doing its job.
As you know these are some of my favorite authors. I was not introduced to Madeline L’ Engle until I was an adult and teaching, but the others were part of my childhood.
Of course, Lucy Maud had a birthday as I see was noted above. You really should go to Prince Edward Island. It is a beautiful, peaceful, place. You would love the flowers which are everywhere.
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I wonder what book your computer is reading, Janet. Is it one we’ve read yet? Seriously, having just come out of my own computer tantrum, (the computer, not me) I hope it remedies soon.
I didn’t read Madeline L’Engle until I was an adult either, but have read and reread A Wrinkle in Time so often and have enjoyed some of her other books as well. I came home from the library yesterday with two of her adult books.
PEI is on the docket, in large part because of your visits there. Anne Shirley was a favorite character of Jennifer’s and I know we would love it.
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Where would we be without the quiet that November brings? November has no epithet, like October which is said to be golden, or December, which is said to sparkle; no, November, if anything, is a month for reflections, for mourning the past and those gone before. And for rereading old favourites like the trio you mention.
Tell me, are you Penny O’Neill? If so, thanks for your comments. I’ve been trying to find access to P.O’N but the blogger blog goes nowhere. (Perpetua saw my question in reply to your comment on my post, so here I am.) I’ve known that you are Penny but I’ve not connected the ‘O’Neill’ bit with you.
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November is a sadly neglected month, I find, and as you say, it is a month for mourning the past and reflections. I came home yesterday with two of L’Engle’s books.
Yes. I am Penny O’Neill and you are welcome. I’ve had some computer issues and in the process seem to have lost my blogging identity. I think I’ve sorted it out now, Friko, but that O’Neill is me and I visit you with much joy and anticipation.
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November is a much more beautiful month than it is normally given credit for, Penny and your lovely post captures its essence perfectly. DH was born in November, so of course I’m biased.:-)
As you know Louisa May Alcott is one of my all-time favourite authors and I’m also very fond of Lewis’s Narnia books, but I’ve never tried Madeline L’Engle. Another for the library list….
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Now, that is surely a reason to rejoice in November, Perpetua, and a happy birthday to DH.
I was surprised at the fact that three of my favorite authors shared a birthday. I love these small moments in life. I would like to encourage you to try Madeline L’Engle. Her books are numerous and are good reads for children and for adults. Your grandsons might enjoy “A Wrinkle in Time”, but so would you. It would be a good place to start. It is beautifully written and brings about good discussion. The first adult book of hers I read, part of a trio of memoirs, is “The Summer of the Greatgrandmother”. There is much in it, both in terms of family and of spirituality, that I think would interest you, Perpetua.
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Three great writers born on the same day! Must re-read Little Women (although actually I prefer Good Wives!) Enjoyed your winter post.
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Well, Nicola, you can’t go wrong with either, or a host of other Alcott books. Have read Hospital Sketches?
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I am a fan of November. I rather like having to turn on the lights early, and feel the cozy warmth inside while all is dark out. I wonder if anyone has done a study on personality and weather. I suspect the more outgoing extroverts adore August while those quieter introverts are fond of November. :<)
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You may be right on that, Nan. August is my least favorite month, but I’ve always like November. I’ll stick with the introverts. There is a coziness that comes in November. I like that thought and will start our supper thinking of it.
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Dear Penny, Alcott, L’Engle, and Lewis–three of my favorite writers. I read and reread “Little Men” many times as a child and teen-ager. I so wanted to be like Nan–intrepid. A risk-taker. In fact, just thinking about her, I know I’ll pull my copy of “Little Men” off the shelf here and reread it. It’s time. And yes, Alcott’s November shadow is long–far and wee–touching so many of our lives for better. Peace.
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I haven’t read “Little Men” in ever-so-long, Dee. Your mention of it makes me want to pull it down off of the shelf and have another go at it. I remember enjoying it so much in my younger years. I can imagine how Nan drew you in.
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My mother read Alcott’s Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom to us as children and I remember her sobbing when Charlie the bad boy dies. When I wrote my book I wanted a book that recalled those wonderful books that made my mother and I fall in love with the characters and cry when they died. 🙂 Garrison Keillor is so comforting and November Sundays are deliciously melancholy!
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Oh, those scenes can really move us, can’t they? I still sob when Beth dies in Little Women. It sounds like your mother had quite an impact on your relationship with books and their characters. I’ll be looking to read your book someday soon. I was intrigued by what I read on your blog earlier today.
Thank you so much for commenting.
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Oh I still cry at those chapters too, both in Part 1 when Beth is sick and later when Jo is with Beth and realizes she’s fading. And I cried more re-reading these passages after learning how Louisa’s sister Elizabeth died in real life….
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It is amazing how those chapters can continue to grab our hearts, no matter how many times they are read, so engaged are we with the characters. Knowing the real life story of the Alcott sisters makes these chapters all-the-more-poignant. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post and to comment. I feel a re-read of “Little Women” coming on . . .
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